Johnston Journalhttp://go2japan.org/a2/
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Blog posts from Jeff Johnstonen-GB2016 Highlights: Top Stories from Asian Accesshttp://go2japan.org/a2/?id=1319
2016 has been a fruitful year of ministry at Asian Access, as we gear up for our 50th anniversary in 2017. Before we look ahead, let's look back at some highlights from the past twelve months...

Leadership: an underlying need in today's chaos

International (MNN) — Wars and rumors of wars constantly circulate in the headlines. Whether it's the ISIS attacks in Jakarta or Syria using starvation as a weapon of war, Joe Handley of Asian Access says there's a common thread. "In the midst of that situation, everyone is looking for leadership." Asian Access helps leaders throughout Asia learn... Read more [+audio]

Five Years After the Triple Disaster: Journeying with the Japanese

Asian Access missionaries recount the early days following the Great Japan Disaster and share how it's been an amazing privilege to journey with the Japanese as they rebuild their lives over the past five years.

TOHOKU, JAPAN (A2) — In the months following the disaster, missionary Sue Takamoto asked a community leader, “So how many funerals have you been to?” ... Read more [+video]

ISIS makes 'example' of convert to Christianity in Bangladesh

Bangladesh (MNN) — ISIS last week claimed responsibility for the murder of a pastor in northern Bangladesh. Joe Handley with Asian Access confirmed reports that armed extremists killed 65-year-old Hossain Ali, who converted to Christianity from Islam in 1999. He was a member of Valacopa PBT Church (Paraclete Bangladesh Trust Church). Among the reasons he was targeted, “Pastor Ali came to Christ and was leading a small fellowship in his district. When he started connecting with Muslims and then they, in fact, converted and started attending church, then the pressure started coming down.” Read more

Helping Leaders Thrive: an introduction to Asian Access

Studies have shown that the biggest challenge we face in the world today is a crisis of leadership. Leaders are struggling to survive. All sorts of problems being thrown their way, and they don't know how to handle it. Leaders are faced with war, natural disasters, poverty, famine, political unrest, social injustice, and persecution to name a few. By building a learning community through a 2-year transformational process, Asian Access is seeing significant impact... Read more [+video]

A theology of dishwashing

Several times while teaching for Asian Access, I am reminded of this quote by Brother Lawrence who reminds us of how we can always be in God’s presence, even in the most mundane tasks. As I head to India tomorrow, this rings true once again as the community there washes the dishes together after every meal. It’s their corporate way of reminding themselves that they are servant leaders as pastors, husbands, and fathers. This same practice happens across many of our countries... Read more...

LIVE community

Last week, the Asian Access family gathered for a rich community experience. We were in Jakarta, Indonesia for our Global Leaders’ Summit. What a fantastic week we had together. It was one of my all-time favorite summits! What made it so special? - COMMUNITY! This is one of our three core values at Asian Access: We LIVE Community! You can learn more about our values here: Asian Access' Core Values. As we gathered together, we prayed and took a collection to help our persecuted friends in Bangladesh... Read more

God-sized vision

This group of graduating pastors inspired me! I spent a week with them in South Asia listening to their stories, hearing their heart and facilitating discussions along with my colleagues Mary Jo Wilson and Pastor Laji. The focus of our week was World Mission and each of the pastors presented their strategy paper for their church. Most compelling as usual with Asian Access is our core teaching about being “ALL IN with GOD”. To hear these pastors share about the importance of their “love relationship with God” was deeply moving. As each of them spent significant time with the Lord and with one another over the past two and a half years, the Lord laid on their hearts a vision like you... Read more

From facilitation to faculty: Asian Access national leaders take charge

At Asian Access, our vision is to see a vibrant community of servant leaders with vision, character, and competence leading the church across Asia. Nowhere is that vision being realized more than in Bangladesh. This Muslim-majority country has recently struggled with a sharp spike in terrorist violence, targeting Christian leaders as well as other innocent people. Pastors and Christian leaders in Bangladesh have faced down violent mobs, faux “seekers” who turn out to be assailants, and infiltrators trying to penetrate Christian student groups. These courageous brothers and sisters continue to minister, despite the risks,... Read more

The value of partnership

“When we do mission, we need one heart. So we can do it together.”

These two sentences best sum up our commitment to live and work in community. Pastor Yukimasa Otomo shared this with me to describe his partnership with A2 missionaries Robert and Roberta Adair. The partnership between Japanese pastors and A2 missionaries is deep. As Yukimasa Sensei added, “Having Robert [here] is good for me, because I can share my heart.” Robert was excited to partner with this pastor, too... Read more

"Women hold up half the sky!"

I just came away from an inspiring working session. Asian Access is looking to both deepen and expand our efforts in empowering women who are in ministry. One of my colleagues quoted Mao Zedong who said, “Women hold up half the sky!” This is so true. In all my years in ministry, it’s astounding to see how many women are the key movers and shakers in the Church globally and in mission. They lead from behind, below, beside and now increasingly from the front. The sad part is that they receive such little investment and empowerment. One of the key sessions during the Cape Town Congress in 2010 walked through these issues: Men and Women in Partnership. You can learn more by reviewing that link and the various videos posted there. Asian Access has... Read more

The road to sustainability

One of the keys to Asian Access’ long-term health is the ability of each country to sustain the movement under its own power. One of the most important contributors to sustainability is the development and empowerment of leaders from within each country who can serve as A2 faculty. David Dayalan, national director for Asian Access/India and A2 vice president for program development, is a strong advocate for in-country faculty. “Relying solely on foreigners to teach the A2 program is unhealthy,” he says. “It perpetuates the myth that only outsiders can effectively teach leader development. And it discounts the contributions that can be made by gifted leaders whom God has already raised up in our respective countries. These leaders are ready and able to teach their fellow leaders, right now.” Read more

Hope is rising

I’m so happy to be living in Asia, and most specifically here in Tokyo. Japan is known as the “Land of the Rising Sun” and it is this light that I find myself most hopeful these days. You see, I’ve been bombarded with messages of inspiration ever since moving here in August! It’s such a contrast to the land of my birth where conspiracy and doomsday theories dominated the election cycle. It seemed that fear and anger drove most of the conversation but my time here in Asia has been markably different. Shortly after arriving, I received a report on the results after 5 years of outreach following the triple disaster in 2011. Tears of joy flowed from many of my colleagues who have spent most of their lives serving here. Following the worst disaster to hit Japan in modern times, there are... Read more

]]>Jeff JohnstonSun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0800http://go2japan.org/a2/?id=1319The Value of Partnershiphttp://go2japan.org/a2/?id=1270
“When we do mission, we need one heart. So we can do it together.”

These two sentences best sum up our commitment to live and work in community. Pastor Yukimasa Otomo shared this with me to describe his partnership with A2 missionaries Robert and Roberta Adair.

Video Description: Asian Access missionaries have deeply connected in partnership with Japanese Christians. They work together and live together in community as friends. Watch here...

The partnership between Japanese pastors and A2 missionaries is deep. As Yukimasa Sensei added:

“Having Robert [here] is good for me, because I can share my heart.”

Robert was excited to partner with this pastor, too.

“The senior pastor’s son [Yukimasa Otomo] is about three years older than me, and his wife is about the same, so they’re close in age to Roberta and me. They both have some English capacity, so it is easier to communicate with them. [The church] had an exciting vision to plant churches in the areas affected by the disaster and a very robust post-disaster recovery and relief ministry going on.”

The Adairs have been blessed by their partnership with Pastor Yukimasa and his wife. Roberta reflected:

“I'm really grateful for our partner church because they've navigated faith issues like what it means to be a Japanese Christian in a way that I will never understand. I might be able to understand it cognitively, but I won't ever have the heart understanding. So it's been really neat to be able to ask them questions about why baptism is important, for instance, or how to communicate the need for a savior, and questions that I have about communicating faith.”

It goes well beyond working together as co-laborers. It’s living together in community and being friends. As Roberta clarified, “But also their friendship means a lot. I'm really glad that we're not doing this alone, but we're doing this in partnership with Japanese Christians and Japanese friends."

Robert has become extremely close with his Japanese missional partner. He shared:

“My closest friend right now is my ministry partner. The highlight of my week is Wednesday morning at 7am sitting down at McDonald’s and spending two hours talking, chatting and doing devotions together. So spiritually, I am being fed by and hopefully feeding a Japanese man close to my own age.”

Dan and Casi Brown have also deeply connected with their Japanese pastor and his wife. Casi has been blessed by this partnership, and summarized:

“I knew that we would be close with our partners. But our partners have just really gone above and beyond to support and encourage us. And our pastor's wife has been the rock for me. I don't think I could have made it through the past eight months without her. We just felt so blessed by our partnership, and I hope we are blessing to them.”

Kent Muhling put it this way:

“As Asian Access missionaries, we want to come alongside, work with, and support. It's a really neat opportunity and an honor to be invited in. My wife and I chose our theme verse for ministry from 1 Thessalonians 2:8: ‘Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very lives as well, because you had become very dear to us.’ So for us partnership is not just working together, but really living together and loving together.”

All of this simply underscores our value to live out community in all that we do and all that we are. Yes, missiological strategy is important. But much more significant, I think, is how we live out Christ's prayer in John 17 for His disciples to be one.

Takeshi Takazawa of Asian Access reports that there are over 100 churches in the Kyushu earthquake disaster area and surrounding vicinity in SW Japan.

Those churches together created the "Kyushu Christian Relief Center" and it's already functioning. One of the on-site leaders is an alumnus of our leader development program, Pastor Yoji Nakamura. Together, they are distributing relief goods and helping out individual victims by removing debris from their houses.

Pastor Yoshiya Hari called for prayer for this group, "Please pray for those in this network to really work together as the body of Christ and to reach out to their communities in Kyushu."

In addition, please pray for these earthquakes to come to an end. You might think they were just two big earthquakes, but over 500 aftershock earthquakes that people can actually feel are continuing. Because of those aftershocks, people are so concerned and uncertain about even sleeping inside buildings, so people are going outside and sleeping.

It's important to remember that the ministry of the church is continuing throughout the entire rescue, relief and rebuilding phases. Pray for this for rebuilding, and not just the physical aspect, but also the spiritual aspect, due to the greater church's work. Pray that each church and all the spiritual leaders both inside and outside—and also global church—will be be able to minister in a way that tangibly shows in this crisis and uncertainty that certain love and the hope and the hands of love that they can see and they can feel and that they can really rely on.

Rev. Paul Kiichi Ariga added, "Each time these disasters occur, Japanese Christians accept it as God's happening that He will bring a new day for Japan to reach people with a gospel of Jesus Christ, actually helping those people with love action and showing God's heart."

Takazawa also urged Christians to pray:

Pray that this effort will be able to bring unity. When the Northeast triple disaster happened, God used all those efforts to bring the Church together. And we are praying as Jesus was praying that we will be one, like Jesus and the Father and we will be able to unite together that's what I am praying for.

Thank you for your prayers on behalf of the victims of the earthquakes in Southwest Japan.

How to Give toward Asian Access' Relief Work

The Church of Japan is already helping the earthquake victims in Japan. But they can do so much more with help from people like you. Remember, your gift will be doubled with the $100,000 matching grant.

Support churches who are doing relief work. A2 is distributing funds raised through local churches in Japan for use where it's needed most. To give online, click the red “Give Now!” button (US$) below or click here...

]]>Jeff JohnstonThu, 19 May 2016 08:15:00 -0700http://go2japan.org/a2/?id=12293.11 - God’s Presence and My Purpose in Midst of Painhttp://go2japan.org/a2/?id=1182
I met some new friends recently, Masaki and Kat. My wife and I enjoyed a good bowl of ramen with this great couple a few days ago, along with mutual friends, who have been trying to introduce us for a very long time. The ramen was good, but the new friendships are even better.

As we talked about our lives and love for Japan, we realized that Kat McDowell is a tremendously talented musical artist, based in Los Angeles, but with a global reach. The former Sony label artist has now launched her own indie label and can be found at http://katmusic.jp / http://kat-mcdowell.com. Kat’s father is from New Zealand and her mother is from Japan. She grew up in both places. This is her YouTube channel description:

♪ Healing, inspiring and connecting the world through words & melodies ♫ I'm a half Japanese/ half Kiwi girl living in Los Angeles and touring the world!

This video clip, which she made herself using an iPhone, is an emotional testimony to God’s presence with us, even in the midst of life’s storms, including the Great Japan Disaster of 3.11.11. It's also about the human search for meaning and purpose in life.

Its message compliments the clip “Journeying with the Japanese” that I posted on 3/11/2016 about Asian Access missionaries, who are trying to physically show God’s presence. They are trying to help their friends in NE Japan find Jesus and the hope He can bring to them. It’s not over yet.

I am excited to show 3.11 to you…

3.11 Official Music & lyric video [字幕付き]

Video Information

Published on May 10, 2012 — My first music video from the album "Hope in you" (release is 2012/6/20). I you like this video please share it with your friends! Like it, comment etc!! I will do my best to keep writing better songs and making better videos!

Video Description: Asian Access missionaries recount the early days following the Great Japan Disaster and share how it's been an amazing privilege to journey with the Japanese as they rebuild their lives over the past five years.

TOHOKU, JAPAN (A2) — In the months following the disaster, missionary Sue Takamoto asked a community leader, “So how many funerals have you been to?”

His response, “This is my thirtieth.”

Takamoto summarized, “Just the impact of that on this community, it’s not something we can even measure. And that’s where we see that the loss continues and continues.”

Beginning the Journey

Asian Access missionaries have been a presence in Tohoku—northeast Japan, helping Japanese disaster victims since the very beginning.

Kent Muhling remembers, “Six days before the disaster, several of us [A2 missionaries] attended a disaster volunteer training course. And we left that thinking, the next time something happens, we want to be involved. Nobody thought it would be one week later.”

Once the immediate rescue work was completed by professional first-responders, volunteers from all over Japan and the world swept in to begin helping people recover—including several Asian Access missionary staff members. There was a tremendous response of Christian love.

In the early months much of the work was focused on physical needs, such as providing food, clothing and shelter. And a lot of physical labor was needed to clear debris, shovel mud out of the gutters and people’s homes, and clean up. Next came helping victims move whatever was left of their families and belongings to safety. About 350,000 were displaced to live in temporary housing, which continues even today, though it's getting better.

To Journey Together is Ministry

Focusing on Emotional and Spiritual Needs

With those basic needs tended to early on, Muhling concluded “The emotional and spiritual needs are actually greater now.”

Long after other relief workers have left the region, Asian Access' presence has continued, as always, in partnership with the Japanese Church. And many volunteers from outside the region—burdened by what they saw as visitors—decided to become residents. Missionaries, pastors, even Japanese Christians moved from other regions of Japan into the neighborhoods of hard-hit areas.

Rhonda Boehme who relocated up to northeast Japan with her family from west Japan shared, “Being here and letting them know we’re not planning to leave anytime soon—we want to be here a long time—I think that encourages people.”

It’s showing up and being there that can have great impact. To journey together is ministry.

Is it any wonder that one of Sue Takamoto’s directional verses is John 1:14, particularly from The Message: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood” (verse 14a).

Sue’s husband Eric Takamoto agrees. “I think the thing that speaks most to the people up here is the continued presence,” he said. “We are continually asked, ‘Why? Why do people come all this way, spend their money and their time to help us?’ And the simple answer is, ‘God loves you.’ ”

God’s love is being demonstrated by people who left their home to “move into the neighborhood” and make a new home among new friends. And it’s being powerfully demonstrated by the ongoing presence of faithful local churches that have sacrificed to meet needs, journey together and share Christ’s love.

Sue reflected, "Our joy, if that's the right word, is just to be here through people's sadness, through their remembering, through their fear of what might happen, through the aftershocks, and to just walk with the people in this community. And it's an amazing privilege to be able to do that."

Plant Churches... Plant Churches... Plant Churches!

At Asian Access’ fall board retreat, Doug Birdsall shared the powerful story of how the 2020 Vision for Japan emerged. Listening to Doug share is always an inspiration! He spoke about how he was sensing the Lord might be calling him away from the mission of Asian Access—but one night woke up and all he could see and hear was the phrase “Plant Churches… Plant Churches… Plant Churches…” over and over again!... Read more

From Killing Fields to Streams of Grace

Cambodia (MNN) — In Cambodia, streams of grace are replacing Pol Pot's killing fields. Asian Access is teaching believers like Meng Aun Hour how to share their faith. "Cambodia is really open for the Gospel of Jesus. We can go out and preach the Gospel, do church planting." As a result, Cambodians are coming to Christ in droves. One of them used... Read more

A2 for Business Leaders Launches in Korea

This weekend, seven CEOs gathered together outside of Seoul, Korea for the first ever A2 session for marketplace leaders. The energy and enthusiasm was magnetic. As these leaders shared their lives and their vision in a dynamic collaborative learning community, the atmosphere was electric. David Kim, A2 board member and founder of Telos Ventures, co-taught the session with me focusing on our "Love Relationship with God" and being a "Christ-like Leader as a CEO". The weekend went very well as we adapted the pastor-focused integrated curriculum for the CEOs. We also learned and adapted on the fly since this was our first cohort of this nature... Read more

New Life Springs Up... from an Earthquake Devastated Church

It was the guy in the worship band—a guitarist playing with two broken legs—who finally got to me. When the 7.9 earthquake struck Nepal on April 26, over 300 men, women, and children were worshipping at Visions of Salvation church in central Kathmandu. The building collapsed. Nineteen people, including the pastor, were killed. Yesterday, my friends here (who shall remain nameless) and I were invited to share at the VOS service. They are renting a building near their now-destroyed sanctuary. It is unfinished—bare concrete floors, tin roof, no lights—but it is sturdy. The late pastor’s son and his wife now lead the... Read more

What Generosity Can Do: An Example of a Buddhist Monk

Not long ago, I was serving with Asian Access in a predominantly Buddhist nation. It’s a nation where the Buddhist priests have been quite antagonistic to the Church, threatening believers and burning down church buildings. As I was serving, I was visiting an impoverished village where some of my colleagues had reached out following a devastating natural disaster. They went into the community, served the people, and rebuilt hundreds of homes that had been lost. I was visiting trainer centers that had been built to equip the people and educate the children. Apparently, the region surrounding this village was quite activist as the radical Buddhists were ready to ... Read more

The Church in Japan Serves Nepal After Earthquakes

Nepal (MNN) — Japanese Christians know firsthand the value of receiving help in times of disaster. That's why a team of individuals impacted by the 2011 tsunami spent their holiday in Nepal helping their neighbors. The team spent four days cleaning up a children’s home and helping a village rebuild. Despite everything the Japanese team has given,... Read more

Perseverance Through Persecution

At the latest leader development session in one of the restricted-access countries where A2 is at work, one thing is clear: Pastors here persevere in the ministry despite persistent persecution. Let two of our leaders share their testimonies with you in their own words: “In [location deleted], I was able to start three churches. Soldiers or local authorities would stop me from my rounds to these three churches, but we learned to post watchmen so that if police were on their way to our meeting locations I could temporarily slip away until the danger of in... Read more

ALL IN with God

Asian Access recently reviewed our values as a mission. What a fascinating journey and valuable learning experience it was! We spent hours in dialog throughout the movement at every level: volunteers, staff, alumni, faculty, board and reference council. It was nothing short of amazing to see things come together. As we honed the various nuances and prioritized down to three core characteristics, we came up with three core values. The first is... Read more

Blockade of Supplies into Nepal Continues

Nepal (MNN) — It doesn’t look like there’s a solution to the disagreement between Nepal and India anywhere in sight. Noel Becchetti of Asian Access says India is still angry about Nepal’s new constitution and keeps blocking supplies. “As India is exercising their political will, they have the power unfortunately to basically starve these guys out,... Read more

Asian Believers Cast Vision for Massive Outreach

Asia (MNN) -- Terrorists are striking fear around the world, but they're not stopping dedicated believers. By the year 2030, Christians in an Asian country hope to have sent out 20,000 indigenous missionaries. Joe Handley with Asian Access, a ministry dedicated to raising up Christian leaders, says: "There is a sense, at least for many parts of Asia that the Gospel has been brought to them, and they owe a debt to God for bringing this hope to... Read more

Asian Access is a silver sponsor of the Eagles Leadership Conference, held at Singapore's Suntec Convention Centre from July 23-25, 2015. The theme of ELC 2015 is The Art of Partnership: Collaboration – Creativity – Community.

Our own Takeshi Takazawa is one of the speakers. Takeshi is the Vice President for Strategic Engagement for Asian Access, as well as the National Director of Asian Access Japan. Takeshi was born, raised and lives in Tokyo. He helped pioneer and develop a Church Multiplication Network throughout Japan. He is involved in leadership training for pastors in eleven Asian countries. Currently he is also involved in various special projects in Japan and Asia, including disaster relief and leadership renewal and development.

Takeshi's workshop is entitled, Partnering Church and Corporations: Making Community Impact and he will share from his experiences in forging partnerships between church and marketplace. Listen to Takeshi's introduction...

{youtube}https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIK_TrZQEY0{/youtube}

Workshop 13:Partnering Church and Corporations: Making Community Impact

Partnership between Church and Marketplace organizations seem so remote and difficult. How do we navigate through obstacles and forge a meaningful partnership? Come and join Takashi Takasawa, VP, Strategic Engagement with Asian Access and Chew Weng Chee, Senior Pastor, SIB KL in their respective efforts and strategies.

]]>Jeff JohnstonWed, 22 Jul 2015 09:26:00 -0700http://go2japan.org/a2/?id=12232014 Highlights: Some Top Stories from Asian Accesshttp://go2japan.org/a2/?id=1040
2014 has been a busy year at Asian Access. Here are some highlights from the past twelve months...

Thoughts on Persecution and a Call to Prayer

Persecution is alive and well in Asia. This fact sometimes escapes me as I travel in the region. Our A2 national leaders are so gracious that I am often lulled into complacency as I visit with our A2 participants and hear about what God is doing in their area... Read more

What’s Really Happening through Asian Access in my Country?

David Dayalan, national director of A2/India, talks about what's happening through the Asian Access leader development program there. He highlights the need for more and better leaders in order to reach a nation. Looking at the lives of alumni and current participants in India, David reports life transformation... Read more

The Need for Leadership in Asia's Expanding Church

Katey Hearth speaking with Joe Handley of Asian Access about the needs for leadership in the rapidly expanding Church of Asia. Listen to the interview... Read more

What is Asia’s Role in the Great Commission?

What role will Asia play in the Great Commission in 16 years? What will things look like in 2030?

Leadership plays a critical role in Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong (MNN) — Tensions are rising in Hong Kong. Protestors, upset over China’s involvement with a new CEO, have threatened to occupy government buildings. Then, they demanded the resignation of the chief executive. A former British colony, Hong Kong returned to China’s sovereignty in 1997. China promised... Read more

Vision 2030

It’s been a tremendous week in Seoul. 30 leaders from an important and strategic country, not named due to security reasons, gathered to prayerfully plan their strategy for a vision God put on their hearts leading to 2030. They want to send 20,000 missionaries from their country and plant 2,000 churches outside their country by 2030. Nearly every day... Read more

Investing in women, too, so churches can multiply

Being a female leader can be a lonely road. But Asian Access is investing in these leaders to help each of them in their context. And as they're in the A2 community, they are mutually encouraged and learning from each other... Read more

Beginning of Reconciliation between Japan, China

Japan (MNN) — It was supposed to be a photo-op, but instead, it was an awkward handshake between the leaders of China and Japan meeting in Beijing for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Summit. The body language of both leaders made it clear that a lot of work lies ahead of smoothing out... Read more

Reaching Japan’s Forgotten People - With Down Home Gospel

How do you comfort people trapped in a refugee existence? How about old-fashioned African-American gospel music—in Japan! It’s been over three years since the triple disaster struck Japan on March 11, 2011. A massive earthquake, devastating tsunami, and nuclear-plant meltdown killed thousands, wiped out whole communities, and left hundreds of thousands displaced... Read more

Amazing Pre-Christian Evangelist

A few weeks ago, I was attending Pastor Joshua Hari’s church near Tokyo. Joshua is an assistant director for Asian Access/Japan and the lead pastor for this dynamic congregation. His church began a new outreach by providing a weekly community exercise and stretching program for young mothers. On this particular morning, a young mother... Read more

Rebuilding... for a New Ministry

A disaster strikes. People help. The helpers leave. Then, the rebuilding begins. Camp Morigo first opened in 1960. Owned and operated by Oasis Chapel (located in the Sendai region of northeast Japan), Camp Morigo served as a full-service Christian camp for decades. Then, the... Read more

Persevering Through Persecution

Noel Becchetti, Vice President for Leader Development for Asian Access comments on ministry challenges in two countries where Christianity is growing the fastest. According to The Center for the Study of Global Christianity, both countries are located in Asia. These countries, which cannot be identified for security purposes, also happen to be places where A2-supported pastors are sharing the Good News of Christ and making disciples... Read more

Life-Giving Water for Bangladesh

In one of the poorest countries in the world, where garment workers labor under harsh conditions, Asian Access is partnering with InterVarsity to build the Living Water Centre (LWC)—a multi-purpose training and conference facility in a country where land and buildings like this are scarce... Read more

Lifetime Appointment

The Asian Access board unanimously and enthusiastically elected Ron McMahon to serve as the lifetime honorary chairman of our board. It was a deeply meaningful time together as we reflected on Ron's 23 years as our chairman. Because of Ron's great leadership, we are well on our way to celebrating 50 years of ministry in 2017. Prior to Ron's tenure, ... Read more

The Little Engine that Could

When I first interviewed with Asian Access over six years ago, I told the board, “This is one of the best kept secrets in mission today.” Why? Because I was in cross-cultural mission leadership for more than 20 years and had no idea of the impact of the mission... Read more

Giving is Worship

I've been reflecting on my giving practices. I inherited an amazing treasury of generosity from my parents who are some of the most generous people I have ever met. They practice the truth of this passage in the Gospel of Luke... Read more

4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator

Asian Access’ sound fiscal management practices and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. This puts Asian Access in the top 7% of charitable organizations reviewed by Charity Navigator... Read more

(Artesia, CA - December 15, 2014) – Asian Access’ sound fiscal management practices and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. This is the fourth time that Asian Access has earned this top distinction in the last four years.

Since 2002, using data-driven analysis, Charity Navigator has awarded only the most fiscally responsible organizations a 4-star rating. In 2011, Charity Navigator added a second dimension of Accountability and Transparency (A&T) to its rating methodology, and now reviews 17 governance and ethical practices as well as measures of openness, providing information on its web site for each of the charities it evaluates. The A&T metrics, which account for 50 percent of a charity’s overall rating, reveal which charities have “best practices” that minimize the chance of unethical activities and whether they freely share basic information about their organization with their donors and other stakeholders.

“Asian Access’ coveted 4-star rating puts it in a very select group of high-performing charities,” according to Ken Berger, President and CEO, Charity Navigator. “Out of the thousands of nonprofits Charity Navigator evaluates, only one out of four earns 4 stars -- a rating that, now, with our new Accountability and Transparency metrics, demands even greater rigor, responsibility and commitment to openness. Asian Access’ supporters should feel much more confident that their hard-earned dollars are being used efficiently and responsibly when it acquires such a high rating.”

• — •— •

“To be included in Charity Navigator's top 7% of charities—by virtue of earning 4-star ratings the last four years—is an immense honor. In the current economic environment, it’s important our donors trust that we’re using our funding wisely in order to foster a vibrant community of servant leaders leading the church across Asia,” said Joseph W. Handley, Jr. “Our 4-star Charity Navigator rating demonstrates to our supporters that we take our fiduciary and governance responsibilities very seriously.”

Asian Access’ rating and other information about charitable giving are available free of charge on www.charitynavigator.org. More-detailed information about Asian Access’ rating is available to Charity Navigator site visitors who become registered users, another free service.

Charity Navigator is the largest charity evaluator in America and its website attracts more visitors than all other charity rating groups combined. The organization helps guide intelligent giving by evaluating the Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency of roughly 5,500 mid-to-large sized charities that garner roughly 50% of all private contributions made in the USA each year (not including houses of worship). Charity Navigator accepts no advertising or donations from the organizations it evaluates, ensuring unbiased evaluations, nor does it charge the public for this trusted data. As a result, Charity Navigator, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization itself, depends on support from individuals, corporations and foundations that believe it provides a much-needed service to America's charitable givers. Charity Navigator, can be reached directly by telephone at (201) 818-1288, or by mail at 139 Harristown Road, Suite 201, Glen Rock, N.J., 07452.

Asian Access is a vibrant community. We are an interdenominational movement working throughout Asia to identify, develop and release leaders of growing and reproducing churches. We're focused on training key leaders who will lead the church with vision, character and competence. We are becoming a vibrant community of leaders in twenty countries of Asia, who will unite the church, extend the Kingdom, and transform the cultures of Asia for the glory of God.

Mary Jo Wilson, A2's VP for Japan, shares why she is proud that Asian Access applies its four outcomes to women leaders across Asia:

Nurturing a love relationship with God;

Growing in Christ-like character;

Reproducing disciple-making leaders;

Planting multiplying churches.

Being a female leader can be a lonely road. But Asian Access is investing in these leaders to help each of them in their context. And as they're in the A2 community, they are mutually encouraged and learning from each other.

Wilson says:

"They are so thrilled to have this level of training available to them and people investing in them in this way."

Mary Jo has seen how women are impacted by our leader development training, as well as how they are contributing to God's kingdom. It encourages her to see churches being planted by A2 participants, regardless of gender or marital status.

God's great mandates to love God and to love others, as well as to make disciples and plant churches apply to all believers—men and women. She is excited about the future as Asian Access remains committed to training younger leaders and women across Asia.

A Comprehensive List of Projects Supported Through Asian Access Relief • Fall 2013On behalf of the Japanese people, we want to thank you for giving toward Disaster Relief in Japan. Your gifts were invested in the following projects:

Does God teach missionaries? Definitely! Well, let's just say that the good ones come equipped with a humble learning posture. Take Dan Brown, for example.

In this clip, Asian Access/SIM missionary Dan Brown shares about what he is learning about doing ministry in his own strength versus doing it through God's strength. Serving with Asian Access as a Missional Partner with Oasis Life Chapel in Rifu, Japan, Dan talks openly about his weakness and struggles in ministry.

Dan reflects:

"So I've really come to learn that I'll do my part. I'll do the possible. I'll go to class. I'll study. I'll show up for ministry, for church each week, just to love and serve people to be a presence. But really it's going to be God who has to do the work."

Listen to Dan's thoughts...

Dan and his wife Casi arrived in Japan in the Fall of 2012 and are currently trying to learn Japanese and doing whatever they can to serve their local Japanese church and pastor. They are teaching English, helping with youth and children's ministry, serving on the prayer team, attending worship services, and simply being a part of the church community.

The Browns have two young (and very blond) daughters, who aid their ministry by breaking the ice with people who meet them. They are a family who loves God and is showing Christ's love to the Japanese.

Nozomi Project started in 2012 as a response to Japan's terrible tsunami in 2011. And through this creative ministry, God is making something beautiful out of something broken.

Sue Takamoto of Asian Access, through Be One Network, launched Nozomi Project (or "Hope" Project) to provide employment, dignity, biblical community and hope for women whose lives were broken by the disaster. Using broken shards of ceramic pottery, these workers create beautiful pieces of jewelry—not only as a way to make sustainable income, but more importantly to put their lives back together. The waves ruthlessly took away their loved ones, their homes and their hope; Nozomi Project is gracefully helping these women put the pieces back together.

Regarding this 'beauty from brokenness,' the Nozomi Project website says:

"As broken shards are being transformed into beautiful treasures, so too lives are being filled with renewed dignity and hope."

This Easter weekend, we are waiting for Sunday. The cross has spoken; the lifeless body of Jesus lays in the tomb. To the disciples, it seems hopeless . . . but Sunday's coming. The story is not over.

In northeast Japan, the triple disaster of March 11, 2011 has spoken. At times, to many Japanese people, it has probably seemed hopeless . . . but Jesus' Body in Japan—His Church—has risen to the challenge, bringing help to the helpless and hope to the hopeless.

In this video, Asian Access reports to donors on some key Japan disaster relief projects it has supported over the last two years. Discover our grid for deciding on projects. Learn what has been happening. Hear from people and churches involved in these projects in all three hard-hit prefectures (Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima). Be encouraged. Above all, keep praying; the story is not over.

ARTESIA, CA (A2) Asian Access is pleased to announce the imminent appointment of Noel Becchetti as vice president for leader development. Through September 30, Becchetti is currently Executive Director for Truthseekers International, a ministry committed to spiritual and social freedom for the oppressed lower castes of India. He will assume his new role with Asian Access on October 1, 2012.

Asian Access is a non-profit ministry devoted to developing leaders who multiply churches across Asia, the most populous continent. Its vision is to see a vibrant community of servant leaders leading the Church there. Having launched ministry in Japan in 1967, Asian Access is now actively training church leaders in ten countries with plans to expand into an additional ten in the next few years.

With bold expansion plans on the horizon, president Joe Handley decided the organization needed to create the new position to build momentum. Since becoming president in June 2008, Handley has been functioning in dual roles. Now to identify a skilled director who can bolster the movement of leader development, he turns to someone he knows well.

“Having known and watched Noel's leadership for 20 plus years,” Handley says, “I am honored that he would join the Asian Access family and bring his incredible array of wisdom and talent to our work in leader development.”

Joe adds that he and Noel had “led together on ministry teams for Azusa Pacific University's Mexico Outreach program,” as well as “one of the first multi-national high school student missions conventions in Mexico City.”

Handley believes Noel’s intrinsic ability as a team player and experience in cross-cultural ministry contexts makes him nicely suited for spearheading the work team charged with pastoral training across Asia. Furthermore, working with Truthseekers provided experience in India, one country where A2 currently operates.

The new role seems to fit him philosophically as well. Noel possesses tremendous experience in church leadership, as well as an abiding love for the Church and Asia.

"The Kingdom of God on earth is expressed and advanced primarily through the Church,” Becchetti asserts, “and the Church is expressed and advanced through the ministries of Godly, gifted leaders. A2 is one of the most effective ministries I know in growing, mentoring and supporting effective leaders in the most dynamic mission field of our time, Asia.”

The upcoming vice president states, “I'm thrilled and humbled to join such an amazing team of men and women."

Becchetti lives in El Cajon, California with his wife Kyle, who currently serves as director for operations for Truthseekers. She maintains an active license to practice law in California. The couple has two grown children and this year became grandparents for the first time.

On the First Anniversary

We’ve compiled a series of reflections on Japan's triple disaster on March 11, 2011--the Earthquake, the Tsunami and the Nuclear Crisis in the Tohoku region--on the occasion of its one year anniversary.

This monumental disaster has deeply impacted the nation and it will never be the same. Though it was horrific, there are now signs of hope emerging in Japan. And we are encouraged that the Japanese Church is one of the leading bearers of hope for the nation--because it is bringing the whole gospel to the people, and most of all, Jesus the Hope of the Nations.

Please take some time to walk through the reflections here, written by our own folks in the A2 Community over the course of the last year and designed by Joshua Clayton, a gifted A2 creative team member.

Above all, keep praying for the people of Japan and the Japanese local churches committed to serving them so faithfully.

]]>jjFri, 09 Mar 2012 19:44:00 -0800http://go2japan.org/a2/?id=668 The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom [Trailer]http://go2japan.org/a2/?id=666
As we remember this tragedy in Japan this weekend, this short but poignant trailer from Lucy Walker's documentary is worth watching...

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Survivors in the areas hardest hit by Japan's recent tsunami find the courage to revive and rebuild as cherry blossom season begins.

A stunning visual poem about the ephemeral nature of life and the healing power of Japan's most beloved flower.

Following a tremendous time of thanksgiving for God's blessings, the advent season is upon us once again. This year, Advent is officially Sunday, November 27 through December 24, 2011.

As we contemplate the amazing coming of the Savior to live among us and show us the Father, Asian Access wants to remind you that we offer a series of reflections by our own missionary staff entitled, "O Come Let Us Adore Him."

Last year, President Joe Handley had asked folks in the Asian Access community to submit some Christmas reflections, and we compiled them into an Advent devotional. Though the dates match up with 2010, you can easily just read one a day and finish by Christmas Eve. The reflections of this watershed moment in history are timeless because of the power of the story.

We have uploaded the full devotional online. We hope you will enjoy these readings from all of us at Asian Access. And we trust that our reflections will help enrich this advent season for you.

It's not too late. Get started right now by downloading the PDF . . .

Warmly in Christ, Jeff Johnston

Downloads:

This devotional includes meditations on the Advent Season by many members of the Asian Access community. The screen version is best for viewing on your computer.

GLENDORA, CALIF. (A2) — A strategic partnership uniting Asian Access and SIM USA is aimed at sending more church-planting missionaries to Japan. By leveraging the strengths of the two mission-sending agencies, they hope to maximize effectiveness toward the goal of planting 1,000 church congregations in Japan by 2020.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Asian Access is a 44-year-old mission organization that pioneered short-term English-teaching missions to Japan. The organization now develops leaders across Asia to multiply churches. Founded in 1893, SIM works on six continents with more than 2,100 missionaries from 65 countries—one-third from the United States alone. The U.S. headquarters is in Charlotte, N.C.

Following a three-year process of examining their organizations’ respective DNA, vision, mission and core values, the leadership teams determined to seize the opportunity to collaborate in forming a new model of mission work, one that will allow each entity to better utilize kingdom resources.

"SIM brings the stability of operational support that we needed and the mobilization horsepower to help us fulfill our vision and mission for Japan," said Joe Handley, president of Asian Access. "This strategic partnership is not a merger or simply a sharing of back office functions; it is truly a new way of doing mission together, each bringing their strengths and committing to a common Kingdom vision."

According to the agreement, SIM USA will partner with Asian Access to recruit and send missionaries to Japan to plant churches. SIM assumes responsibility for recruiting missionaries, as well as the financial accounting and related human resources functions of missionary training and U.S.-based care.

Asian Access retains responsibility for championing the overall vision in Japan, managing the strategy of missionary deployment through its vast network of Japanese churches, and caring for Japan-based missionary personnel.

Asian Access and SIM will remain independent, each maintaining its distinct and separate ministry and board of directors.

"This alliance immediately opens up a whole new country to send SIM missionaries, rather than having to set up a beachhead with a few pioneer missionaries," said Bruce Johnson, president of SIM USA. "On top of that, to partner with an organization like Asian Access, which already has history, success and reputation in Japan is a privilege and honor."

Johnson, a former vice president at Asian Access, said SIM’s global focus and Asian Access’ 2020 vision for Japan are a seamless fit.

"Within SIM, we are helping to create multicultural mission movements that respond to needs, proclaim the gospel, and equip the church," Johnson said. "And Asian Access' 2020 vision of helping Japanese pastors plant reproducible churches, as well as seeing a mission heart infused in those churches resonates with SIM."

Japan has long been considered a resistant mission field, one in which only 0.5% is Christian, and the overwhelming effects of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster of earlier this year have knocked Japan to its knees. These events may ultimately serve to transform the church and bring many to Christ.

Consequently, Handley said he believes the timing is right for this new partnership and for Japan.

"This bolstering is all the more important given the triple-disaster that hit Japan," he said. "This is a ‘kairos’ or God-moment for Japan that requires our best efforts to influence the country for the beauty of Christ and His Kingdom. We are thrilled to be working with such a strong mission like SIM and are eager to see the Lord work through our strategic partnership to fulfill his mandate for the people of Japan."

Asian Access and SIM USA partner to send more church-planting missionaries to Japan

GLENDORA, CALIF. (A2) — A strategic partnership uniting Asian Access and SIM USA is aimed at sending more church-planting missionaries to Japan. By leveraging the strengths of the two mission-sending agencies, they hope to maximize effectiveness toward the goal of planting 1,000 church congregations in Japan by 2020.

Following a three-year process of examining their organizations’ respective DNA, vision, mission and core values, the leadership teams determined to seize the opportunity to collaborate in forming a new model of mission work, one that will allow each entity to better utilize kingdom resources.

"SIM brings the stability of operational support that we needed and the mobilization horsepower to help us fulfill our vision and mission for Japan," said Joe Handley, president of Asian Access. "This strategic partnership is not a merger or simply a sharing of back office functions; it is truly a new way of doing mission together, each bringing their strengths and committing to a common Kingdom vision."

According to the agreement, SIM USA will partner with Asian Access to recruit and send missionaries to Japan to plant churches. SIM assumes responsibility for recruiting missionaries, as well as the financial accounting and related human resources functions of missionary training and U.S.-based care. Asian Access retains responsibility for championing the overall vision in Japan, managing the strategy of missionary deployment through its vast network of Japanese churches, and caring for Japan-based missionary personnel.

Asian Access and SIM will remain independent, each maintaining its distinct and separate ministry and board of directors.

"This alliance immediately opens up a whole new country to send SIM missionaries, rather than having to set up a beachhead with a few pioneer missionaries," said Bruce Johnson, president of SIM USA. "On top of that, to partner with an organization like Asian Access, which already has history, success and reputation in Japan is a privilege and honor."

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Asian Access is a 44-year-old mission organization that pioneered short-term English-teaching missions to Japan. The organization now develops leaders across Asia to multiply churches. Founded in 1893, SIM works on six continents with 2,100 missionaries—one-third from the United States alone. SIM USA is based in Charlotte, N.C.

]]>Jeff JohnstonWed, 09 Nov 2011 23:00:00 -0800http://go2japan.org/a2/about-g2j/a2simgo2japanChristian Post story on Pastor Sato's 'Exodus Church' presentationhttp://go2japan.org/a2/?id=545
Pastor Akira Sato of Fukushima First Bible Baptist Church recently shared his church's collective experience to several audiences in Southern California and Chicago. The presentation was called "Exodus Church" because the entire congregation was forced to evacuate as a result of the Fukushima nuclear power plant damaged by the tsunami on his 54th birthday—March 11, 2011. He has written a book by the same name, which is currently the best-selling Christian book in Japan.

Pastor Sato felt led to share with Christians all over the world what he and his church have learned over the past seven months. People listened intently to the pastor's honest reflections, and seemed to digest the spiritual insights garnered through the biggest trial of his life. As far as I observed, everyone was touched quite deeply by hearing his story. Presentations were often tear-filled, and that includes speaker, translator and audience members.

]]>Jeff JohnstonTue, 11 Oct 2011 16:57:00 -0700http://go2japan.org/a2/?id=545Exodus from Japan's Ground Zerohttp://go2japan.org/a2/?id=538
Pastor Sato heads to the U.S. to personally share about Fukushima First Bible Baptist Church's experience following the nuclear disaster in Japan!

Meet Akira Sato, Senior Pastor of Fukushima First Bible Baptist Church—located just a few miles from Japan’s failed nuclear reactor site. His town evacuated. His congregation displaced. And today, members of Fukushima First Baptist Church are on their own Exodus journey. But their faith? It’s unshaken.

Rev. Sato, author of best-selling book, "Exodus Church," is compelled to share their collective experience with the global Church in North America and beyond, and now you have a chance to hear firsthand what has happened.

Through our disaster relief work, God provides Asian Access with a front row seat to see His goodness and grace in the face of unspeakable disaster.

Join Asian Access in early October in Los Angeles or Chicago for an update from Japan that you'll likely not soon forget. Experience stories from people who understand the situation firsthand in disaster stricken areas.

We saved your seat. Please join us at any of these events!

Attendance at all these events is free, but please RSVP (see below for details).

Pastor Akira Sato was born in Yamagata, Japan on March 11, 1957. He became senior pastor of Fukushima First Bible Baptist Church upon his graduation from Japan Bible Seminary in 1982. He led a struggling congregation into a four-campus multisite church. Rev. Sato is also a graduate and faculty of Asian Access' leader development ministry in Japan, JCGI Network. He has been involved training pastors through JCGI Network for the past twenty years.

His latest book called "Rurou no Kyokai" ("Exodus Church") is currently the best-selling Christian book in Japan. Fukushima First Bible Baptist Church buildings are located only about three miles from the nuclear power plant destroyed by the Tsunami. His entire congregation was forced to evacuate from their homes and community, and they are all uncertain when they will be allowed to return home. Sixty church members stayed together and are still living in a Christian camp west of Tokyo. He has been leading them and is working on helping them all relocate somewhere back in Fukushima prefecture together.

March 11—the day the triple disaster hit Japan—was actually his 54th birthday. Pastor Sato sensed the Lord's strong calling and responsiblity to share with the global Church what they have been going through and what God has taught them.

In addition to being a pastor and trainer of pastors, Sato Sensei is one of the most popular Christian conference speakers in Japan, as well as a prolific writer. He and his wife Chieko have three children and three grandchildren.

C.L. Hunter, CEO of "Christ Hu Nterz Productions" (pronounced "Christ Who Enters") recently approached Asian Access to partner with him in promoting a great new song by Fahren Johnson, "He Reigns Over All the Earth."

Hunter shared with us:

"Fahren Johnson will be traveling to Japan this November for a mission trip, as well as ministering song alongside local Japanese music ministers. The song has been translated into Japanese, as well as the You Tube video by one of our precious friend’s who is a pastor in Japan. Fahren will be singing at the Sendai Gospel Festival as well during this trip. CEO Chris Hunter will be in Japan during this time as well to meet with the local volunteers of CRASH JAPAN to share the vision, as well as to support the volunteers, pastors, and organizations in this region."

The group of very talented singers shares such strong interest in helping the victims of the triple disaster in Japan. You can read their story below.

We urge you to download the song from iTunes and enjoy! While there, please consider ranking the song and offering a review. Finally, we invite you to donate to Asian Access’ Japan Tsunami Relief Fund.

Operation Rising Sun: From Seattle to Japan (Seattle Artists United) was birthed as a seed in the heart of C.L. Hunter, CEO of Christ Hu Nterz Productions (CHP) over a year ago. He felt God was telling him to bring the local Christian artists together to do a compilation CD to give light to such a great talent in this area.

It lay dormant until March 11, 2011 when we met with a Japanese pastor at our church Vision Conference. We met with her to pray about bringing one of our artists there to Japan to minister to the Youth. We prayed and asked God to open their hearts to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Little did any of us know that there was an earthquake and tsunami that had just ravaged the Sendai region of that country?

We saw the news that night and fell to our faces. God immediately revealed to us that this was why He impressed it upon his heart to bring the artists together. There was such a bigger plan than any of us could imagine. God wanted to bring unity to a people and salvation to a nation.

We immediately prayed and began to ask God what was next and He shared with us to ask Fahren Johnson, an artist on the CHP label, to write the song. It was literally written in one day and we were in the studio two days later. Many came out to support and so many called and wanted to be on this project, but were unable to at such a short notice. We truly thank them as well, because their hearts were with us, so they are still a part of this project in our hearts.

Great struggles and attacks came from every side, but God continued to show us the way and kept us focused on the vision and what He wanted us to do. We have partnered with a wonderful organization, Asian Access, who will be our "hands & feet" to get these donations to the local pastors in Japan to help with food, clothing and supplies, as well as to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ! We are so very excited for what God is doing in this country and we are humbled that He would choose us for such a project. He truly has received and will continue to receive all the glory.

The song was made available for digital download at www.christhunterzproductions.com on July 1, 2011. There is also an opportunity to donate to Asian Access, as well as purchase the song download, so please do the very best that you are able. To know that you were a part of God's plan to bring salvation to a nation is an amazing feeling. Share with your friends & family and God bless each of you for your support. Continue to pray for healing, restoration and salvation for the Japanese people.

We are also excited for the doors that are opening for this project. The writer of the song, Fahren Johnson, will be traveling to Japan this November for a mission trip, as well as will be ministering song alongside local Japanese music ministers. The song has been translated into Japanese, as well as the You Tube video by one of our precious friend’s who is a pastor in Japan. Fahren will be singing at the Sendai Gospel Festival as well during this trip. CEO Chris Hunter will be in Japan during this time as well to meet with the local volunteers of CRASH JAPAN to share the vision, as well as to support the volunteers, pastors, and organizations in this region.

CHP has slated to host a dynamic outdoor concert in Seattle, Washington in the Summer of 2012 to get all of the artists who participated on this song to come together for a benefit concert. All proceeds will go to Asian Access for the furthering efforts of rebuilding churches and helping out the people of Japan. We have pushed the video out to MTV, BET and VH1 in an effort to gain national/international exposure for continuing donations to the effort. We will be nominating the project for the 2012 Stellar & Dove Awards, as well as many other national & international awards shows. Whatever avenues that we have available to us will be utilized to continue to support the nation of Japan, and we are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of shaping a nation for Christ!

]]>Jeff JohnstonThu, 22 Sep 2011 15:23:00 -0700http://go2japan.org/a2/?id=537God has burned in my heart the 86 communities washed away!http://go2japan.org/a2/?id=518
A pastor with vision for a church in each of the 86 communities wiped away by the tsunami

What remains of the site of Seaside Bible Chapel: her cross and her foundation. [photo: Sankei/msn]

What remains of the site of Seaside Bible Chapel: her cross and her foundation. [photo: Sankei/msn]

Pastor Masamoto Higa of International Family Church in Takasaki, Japan began a fast on March 1st. He was seeking to hear from God. At 2:46pm on the eleventh day of his fast, the 9.0 earthquake hit and minutes later, the tsunami swept in then out, ravaging lives and families, cities and villages. As images flashed across our screens, the nation and the rest of the world watched in utter horror. The devastation was immediate, immense, and incalculable—maybe even hopeless.

Yet we are hearing many stories that the Church in Japan has hope. As I was in Sendai with co-workers Takeshi Takazawa and Jeffery Sonnenberg, we saw this hope bursting forth in Pastor Higa. Listen to the heart and vision of Pastor Higa who shared what God has been teaching him...

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Pastor Higa said:

"God has burned in my heart those 86 cities and villages and towns completely wiped away—[that they] will have a church in each of the 86 places."

And the work has already commenced.

On April 10, 2011, members of International Family Church and the surviving members and the people of Seaside Bible Chapel—50 people in all — held a joint worship service. It was held on what remains of the site of Seaside Bible Church—her cross and her foundation. Yes, I think that's rather poetic. The service included a memorial service for those who did not outlive the catastrophe.

But the service also included hope of replanting; seeds of hope for churches in this and 85 other communities. Japanese churches are coming alongside of impacted churches to move toward the vision of evangelization of the area by rebuilding the church and starting new churches.

photo: Mainichi Shimbun

Participants proclaimed: 1) We believe in the revival of this place, 2) We believe a special hope in this place, and 3) We love this place. Both Pastor Higa of International Family Church and Pastor Tomohiro Naito of Seaside Baptist Church wrote down these three convictions on the piece of wood and put it up on the site. They believe the new cross tower is built as the symbol of the Hope of the World.

Jesus said, "I will build My church." (Matthew 16:18) And by His grace, He allows us to be part of that work.

"The Church's One Foundation" (1866) by Samuel John Stone:

The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord; she is His new Creation by water and the Word. From heav’n He came and sought her to be His holy bride; with His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.

Asian Access is called to identify, develop, and release churches to grow and to start churches in the disaster area. We want to help by resourcing Japanese churches and to encourage the Church plant reproducing churches.

Will you be a part of bringing hope to hurting places in Japan?

I'm humbled by the magnitude of work to be done, but inspired by the hope of God's people with vision.